Due to our busy lives we often run ourselves ragged and need boosts of energy throughout the day. It is important to keep check of your energy levels on any diet and on a vegan diet we must be a little more mindful of what we eat to make sure we’re getting a nutritious and balanced diet. It is, therefore, good to have knowledge of a few foods which will really give you an energy boost when you need it, especially in these wintry early mornings and dark nights.
Many vegan foods can give you an extra boost throughout the day, but we’ve chosen the Top 5 High-Energy Vegan Foods to really help get you moving!
1. Quinoa
A great food for many reasons, quinoa is a staple that should always be in your kitchen cupboard. It is a complex carbohydrate and low on the glycemic index (GI) which means you will enjoy steady levels of energy for longer! Quinoa is also high in riboflavin (B2) a vitamin which helps break down fats, protein and carbs whilst helping you keep a steady energy flow in your body. Quinoa is a relatively new carbohydrate choice that is in some ways very similar to rice. You can learn more about it here: quinoa nutrition vs rice.
2. Nut Butter
There are so many different nut butters available on the market right now and there is a good reason why! Firstly they are a delicious creamy topping or snack and secondly they are great for nutrition and energy benefits.
3. Bananas
Fruit is a fantastic pick-me-up booster, so munch, crunch or chew down some fruit in the mornings. While there are a lot of energising fruits, the banana is an amazing snack to have around. It has plenty of sugars and fibre to regulate the release of that sugar on the body and therefore give sustained energy.
4. Chia Seeds
These tiny little seeds are a super food in my eyes! They pack a mighty nutritional punch and they also have high amounts of healthy fats and protein which make them fantastic energy providers for throughout the day. An overnight chia seed porridge is a delicious way to ensure your day kicks off the right way.
5. Cordyceps & Shiitake & Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
A new mushroom is on the market, which has been hailed for its energy boosting benefits among things. Cordyceps are a mushroom species which boost energy. You can buy it in supplement form for easy ingestion. Shiitake mushrooms are another energy-boosting option as they also contain high amounts of vitamin B2.
Lion’s mane mushrooms help in boosting mental focus and improving cognitive functions. It is said to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, whilst supporting physical and mental fitness. You can take it in extract form or you can add it to your daily diet by growing your own using ready-made mushroom cultivation kits.